Clifford Chance rolls out 'black belt' efficiency coaches to global network after £15m savings last year

Clifford Chance (CC) is expanding its team of ‘black belt’ coaches – who are tasked with helping the firm’s lawyers to work more efficiently – to its network of offices around the world.

Law Firms Mentioned

<strong>��<a href="http://www.almcms.com/contrib

Clifford Chance

/uploads/sites/378/2016/09/Clifford-Chance-Article-201609150750.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-56698" src="http://www.almcms.com/contrib

Clifford Chance

/uploads/sites/378/2016/09/Clifford-Chance-Article-201609150750.jpg" alt="" width="616" height="372" /></a></strong> Clifford Chance (CC)��is expanding its team of 'black belt' coaches �� who are tasked with helping��the firm's lawyers��to work more efficiently �� to��its��network of offices around the world. The team is part of CC's 'continuous improvement�� initiative, which was launched in London��<a href="http://www.legalweek.com/sites/legalweek/2013/07/18/cc-recruits-efficiency-black-belts-for-firmwide-push-to-streamline-work/">in 2013</a>, when��three external coaches �� known as��black belts�� were��deployed to train the firm��s lawyers to identify inefficiencies in the way they work. CC now has about 10 black belt coaches and four legal project managers based in London, the Netherlands and Hong Kong, after��merging the continuous improvement team with its City project management team. According to the firm, the team contributed to ��15m in savings during the last financial year, having saved in excess of ��7m <a href="http://www.legalweek.com/sites/legalweek/2016/11/14/clifford-chance-mulls-new-legal-support-centre-as-efficiency-drive-saves-firm-7m/">the year before</a>. Global client solutions head Oliver Campbell says the firm is now building up what it��calls 'best delivery hubs' in five regions �� the Americas, London, continental Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East �� which will eventually be staffed by at least three people. So far, the firm has recruited one black belt coach in New York��after temporarily seconding one of the London coaches to the office, and is planning to expand the US team in the first half of 2018. ��Clients are facing similar pressures in the US, and we see ourselves as early adopters of this sort of approach among our peer firms," says Campbell. The black belt coaches focus their efforts on the early stages of deals, as Campbell explains:�� "They step in at any point, but most commonly at the beginning to help with the design phase �� looking at how we will work with low cost providers and uses of technology." The projects managers, meanwhile, are described by��Campbell as "the interface between low cost providers and our lawyers" �� a role previous handled by partners or senior associates. CC��is also��considering hiring legal technology delivery advisers��to��work with both��fee earners and IT teams. ��Many matters will see a range of other skill sets deployed, from technology advisers to alternative resourcing. There will be more teams involved and more coordination,�� says Campbell. Campbell adds��that so far, lawyers themselves have taken the initiative in requesting support from project managers and coaches. "We are not looking for the use of these skillsets to be made mandatory. We��ve seen partners and lawyers experience the benefits and come back to ask for more.�� Campbell also works closely with��<a href="http://www.legalweek.com/sites/annaward/2015/09/15/we-are-not-google-or-apple-how-clifford-chance-is-tackling-legal-services-innovation/">CC��s global head of innovation and business change, Bas Boris Visser</a>, who is based in Amsterdam. Campbell describes the process: "He works on new ideas and tests them. When they are 'business as usual', then it moves into my area, although that line is not necessarily precise. We also work out how to integrate those tools into the matters we are working on for our clients.�� The latest expansion plans come after the continuous improvement team was last year��<a href="http://www.legalweek.com/sites/legalweek/2016/11/14/clifford-chance-mulls-new-legal-support-centre-as-efficiency-drive-saves-firm-7m/">handed a wider remit</a> to oversee the adoption of new developments in technology and innovation at the firm, packaged together into what��was dubbed a ��best delivery toolkit��. The team also includes the firm's Delhi-based knowledge centre. One example of recent innovation by the team is the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/clifford-chance-dawn-raid/id1204205317?mt=8">Clifford Chance Dawn Raid</a> app,��developed by the firm's Paris office this summer, which aims to help clients if they are subject to surprise onsite inspections.��This followed the Clifford Chance [email protected] app, which was��<a href="http://www.legalweek.com/sites/annaward/2015/09/15/we-are-not-google-or-apple-how-clifford-chance-is-tackling-legal-services-innovation/">designed by lawyers in the firm's Amsterdam office</a> in 2015, and which allows clients to generate tailor-made and house-styled documents by responding to bespoke questionnaires. <ul> <li><strong>Bas Boris Visser��is among��<a href="http://www.legalweek.com/sites/legalweek/2017/09/12/more-than-80-law-firm-leaders-and-gcs-team-up-with-big-business-names-for-legalweek-connect-event/">a heavyweight line-up of��general counsel, big-name business figures and law firm leaders</a>��who will be speaking at the��<a href="http://legalweekconnect.com/">LegalWeek Connect</a>��event this November, which will focus on talent, technology and new thinking in the world of law.��<a href="http://legalweekconnect.com/register">Click here to register for the event</a>.</strong></li> </ul> <

Clifford Chance

Trending Stories

A&O Takes Two Corporate Heavy Hitters from Linklaters Hong Kong

International Edition

In Pictures: Slaughter and May's 'Bring Your Dog To Work' Day

International Edition

Office Occupancy Back At Pre-Pandemic Levels... But Only Midweek

International Edition

Rankings Show Which Law Firms Have The Most Black Lawyers, But Retention is Still a Huge Failing

International Edition

Sky Group Refreshes General Counsel After Longstanding Incumbent's Departure

International Edition

What to Expect With Mergers, Leverage, Costs, Clients and Morale: Your Questions About Am Law 100 Trends Answered

Where the Am Law 200 Have Risks in a Downturn

Diversity Scorecard 2022

Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

Featured Firms

Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates P.C.
75 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Ste 101
Atlanta, GA 30308
(470) 294-1674
www.garymartinhays.com

Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone
2 Oliver St #608
Boston, MA 02109
(857) 444-6468
www.marksalomone.com

Smith & Hassler
1225 N Loop W #525
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 739-1250
www.smithandhassler.com

Presented by BigVoodoo

11 Ways to Reduce eDisclosure Expenses

Brought to you by Everlaw
Download Now

Legal technology buyers are disadvantaged when trying to evaluate a wide selection of vendors, navigate an ever-growing list of capabilities and understand how to apply them to their organisation. Download this white paper to explore what legal teams need to look for, tips for the process, and questions to ask when selecting the best ediscovery solution.

Ediscovery Buyer's Checklist: Doing Your Due Diligence Before You Take the Plunge

Brought to you by Everlaw
Download Now

This white paper provides a brief overview of the Disclosure Pilot Scheme (DPS), the role of legal technology in the evolution of the disclosure process and how legal teams can leverage such technology to strengthen their data-handling procedures to remain effective in the future.

The Disclosure Pilot Scheme: The What, How and When

Brought to you by Everlaw
Download Now

Premium Subscription

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now

Team Accounts

Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now

Bundle Subscriptions

Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now

From Data to Decisions

Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends.

Exclusive Depth and Reach.

Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALM’s deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that can’t be found anywhere else.

Big Pictures and Fine Details

Law.com Compass delivers you the full scope of information, from the rankings of the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 to intricate details and comparisons of firms’ financials, staffing, clients, news and events.

African Legal Awards (AFLA) 2022

September 02, 2022
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.

Learn More

The British Legal Awards (BLA) 2022

November 23, 2022
London

Celebrating achievement, excellence, and innovation in the legal profession in the UK.

Learn More

Legalweek New York 2023

March 20, 2023 - March 23, 2023
New York, NY

Legalweek New York explores Business and Regulatory Trends, Technology and Talent drivers impacting law firms.

Learn More

Commercial Finance Associate (Flexible location)

Duane Morris LLP seeks two commercial finance associates to join its strong and growing 190+ lawyer Corporate Practice Group. The ideal cand...

Apply Now ›

Commercial Litigation Associate

Duane Morris LLP has an opening in its San Francisco office for a commercial litigation associate to join its team. The ideal candidate wil...

Apply Now ›

Labor & Employment Associate- California

Labor & Employment Associate (4-5 years of experience)HANSON BRIDGETT LLPNorthern California: San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento AreaFle...

Apply Now ›

RAYNES & LAWN

06/29/2022
TLI Web

Raynes & Lawn is proud to congratulate Harold I. Goodman on the prestigious honor of Lifetime

View Announcement ›

MCCORMICK & PRIORE, P.C.

06/23/2022
TLI Web

IN MEMORIUM: With a profound sense of sadness, McCormick & Priore announces that Harry A Short, Jr., a preeminent products liability defense lawyer in Philadelphia with a career that spanned over sixty-five (65) years, passed away on June 14, 2022.

View Announcement ›

STARR GERN DAVISON & RUBIN

06/20/2022
NJLJ Web

Starr Gern Davison & Rubin, PC. Attorneys at Law are pleased to announce that SHELLEY L. STANGLER, ESQ. has joined the firm as of Counsel.

View Announcement ›

Legal Newswire

LexisNexis CounselLink® Releases 2022 Enterprise Legal Management Trends Report

Rising Complexity Levels in M&A are Creating New Challenges According to ALM’s N...

Cimplifi Launches Security, Privacy, and Compliance Center

Prestigious College of Commercial Arbitrators Launches Rare Mentorship Opportuni...

Submit a press release

Thank you for sharing!

Clifford Chance rolls out 'black belt' efficiency coaches to global network after £15m savings last year

Anna Ward

Thank you for sharing!

You Might Like

Australia’s Most Active Climate Litigator Expects to Be Busy for Years to Come

While Some Law Firms Remain Silent, Others Commit to Pay for Abortion Travel Costs

Squire Latest Law Firm to Commit to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

The Digital Asset Revolution: 'A Massive Opportunity' for Lawyers

Job of the Week

SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL, DEBT FINANCE& CORPORATE, c. 4-8 YRS' PQE

Spotlight Jobs

Law Firms Mentioned

Featured Firms

More From ALM

11 Ways to Reduce eDisclosure Expenses

Ediscovery Buyer's Checklist: Doing Your Due Diligence Before You Take the Plunge

The Disclosure Pilot Scheme: The What, How and When

Premium Subscription

Team Accounts

Bundle Subscriptions

From Data to Decisions

Exclusive Depth and Reach.

Big Pictures and Fine Details

African Legal Awards (AFLA) 2022

The British Legal Awards (BLA) 2022

Legalweek New York 2023

Commercial Finance Associate (Flexible location)

Commercial Litigation Associate

Labor & Employment Associate- California

RAYNES & LAWN

MCCORMICK & PRIORE, P.C.

STARR GERN DAVISON & RUBIN

Legal Newswire

Share with Email

Thank you for sharing!

Clifford Chance rolls out 'black belt' efficiency coaches to global network after £15m savings last year

Share with Email

Thank you for sharing!

You Might Like

Job of the Week

Spotlight Jobs

Law Firms Mentioned

Trending Stories

Featured Firms

More From ALM

Legal Newswire

Subscribe to International Edition